Defective development of tooth enamel or dentin is a significant dental problem for children and adolescents in various respects, and dentists and other oral health workers find managing these problems challenging and stressful. While a considerable amount of relevant research is currently being undertaken, much further investigation is needed. This book discusses the known causes of defective dental enamel and explains why it is so difficult to restore. Most importantly, it presents the signs and symptoms that allow accurate diagnosis and documents the best contemporary management. The full range of enamel defects is considered, including defects in primary teeth and permanent teeth, associated syndromes, molar incisor hypomineralization, and genetic defects. The clinical chapters are well illustrated, providing clear guidelines for each procedure. In addition, avenues for future research are identified, with explanation of their rationale.

Bernadette Drummond graduated with a BDS from the University of Otago in 1976 and later gained an MS from the University of Rochester and a PhD from the University of Leeds. In 1982 she obtained RACDS from the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons. She is Professor in Paediatric Dentistry at the University of Otago. Dr. Drummond is a Past President of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and for 6 years served as Vice President of the Australasian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry. She has carried out extensive research in a number of fields, including on various topics in paediatric dentistry and dental enamel development and pathology. She has been awarded Fellowships by the New Zealand Dental Association, the International College of Dentists and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (honoris causa). -. Dr. Drummond has published widely in peer-reviewed journals.

Nicola Kilpatrick, BDS, PhD, FDS RCPS, FRACDS (Paed Dent) is currently Senior Research Fellow at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at The University of Melbourne. She is also Clinical Professor at the University of West Australia. Her previous posts include Professor in Paediatric Dentistry at the University of Bristol, UK and Director of the Department of Dentistry, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. Associate Professor Kilpatrick is the recipient of various awards, including most recently an Australian Women in Dentistry Leadership Award (2009) and a Presidential Commendation from the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (2011). Despite her large clinical and administrative workload she has established and maintained a substantial research programme centred on the impact of oral health on child health and well being and is the author of almost 80 papers in peer-reviewed journals. She is on the editorial boards of several leading journals, including the Australian Dental Journal and the International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry.